Sanitizing hand cleanser

ABSTRACT

The present development relates to a liquid cleansing product that effectively reduces the level of microbes on the skin in a relatively short wash time and which dries quickly without causing damage and drying to the skin. The sanitizing cleanser composition comprising an effective amount of organic alcohol to produce a reduction in microorganisms on the surface of the skin, and an additive to maintain the skin pH in the range of from about 4.0 to about 6.0. The cleanser composition may further include silicone to aid further the drying process, and emollients or oils for skin moisturizing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 60/241,900, filed on Oct. 20, 2000, which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This invention relates to leave-on, topical antimicrobialcompositions that do not require water for antimicrobial effectivenesswhen applied to the skin. Specifically, the antimicrobial compositionsof the present invention use an organic alcohol based solution toprovide an essentially immediate reduction of microorganisms on theskin, a silicone additive to aid in the drying process, and an emollientto leave the skin feeling moisturized.

[0003] It is well known that cleansing one's hands with soap and hotwater is an effective means of reducing microorganisms on the skinsurface. However, if the hands are not thoroughly dried, the trace waterresidue can harbor bacteria. While this may not pose a serious threat tothe population at large, in a hospital setting where the population ismore prone to infection, it is desirable to minimize any contaminationrisks.

[0004] In the past few years, research efforts have been directed towardformulating a liquid cleansing product that will effectively sanitizethe skin without the use of water. Many of these liquid cleansingproducts incorporate relatively high concentrations or weightpercentages of organic alcohols in the compositions. The alcohols allowthe product to dry quickly, but also cause the skin to dehydrate to anunacceptable degree, irritating the skin and causing it to crack andchafe.

SUMMARY OF THE DEVELOPMENT

[0005] The present development relates to a liquid cleansing productthat is not water-based. When used topically, the cleansing producteffectively reduces the level of microbes on the skin in a relativelyshort wash time. Further, the cleansing product dries quickly withoutcausing damage and drying to the skin with repeated use. As an addedbenefit, the cleansing product may provide a moisturizing benefit to theskin.

[0006] The present invention provides an antimicrobial sanitizingcleanser composition comprising an effective amount of organic alcoholto produce a reduction in microorganisms on the surface of the skin andan additive to maintain the skin pH in the range of from about 4.0 toabout 6.0. Specifically, an effective amount of lactic acid, fumedsilica, sodium lactate or a combination thereof can be added to balancethe skin pH. The cleanser composition may further include silicone toaid further the drying process, and emollients or oils for skinmoisturizing. The present invention also relates to methods for reducingthe level of microorganisms on the skin using the leave-on antimicrobialcompositions described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0007] The present development is a composition for a sanitizing handcleansing product. The product is organic alcohol based with additivesto allow the skin to maintain a pH at from about 4.0 to about 6.0, thusreducing the bacteria count on the skin while maintaining the normalflora of the skin. The composition also includes a silicone componentwhich aids in the drying process, and emollients which leave the skinfeeling moisturized and refreshed. The antimicrobial compositions of thepresent invention are highly efficacious for reducing the number ofmicroorganisms on the skin while also being moisturizing and protectingto the skin.

[0008] The sanitizing hand cleanser includes one or more organicalcohols to provide antimicrobial functionality, to assist in the dryingprocess, and to serve as a solvent. Preferably, the alcohols areapproved for use on human skin, such as ethanol, isopropanol, or acombination thereof. The organic alcohols are present in the formulationat a concentration of from about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. %.

[0009] The hand cleanser also includes one or more additives to allowthe skin to maintain a pH of from about 4.0 to about 6.0, such as fumedsilica, lactic acid, sodium lactate or a combination thereof. In this pHrange, the bacteria count on the skin is reduced while the normal floraof the skin is maintained, potentially providing additionalantimicrobial benefits for the cleansing product. An effective amount ofadditive is included in the formulation to maintain the desired skin pHrange, and the amount of additive may range from about 0 wt. % to about12 wt. %, depending on the additive or combination of additives includedin the formulation.

[0010] One or more silicone based materials are included in the handcleanser formulation to further aid the drying process. The siliconebased materials, such as cyclomethicone, trimethylsiloxy silicate or acombination thereof, are included in the formulation at a concentrationof from about 5 wt. % to about 35 wt. %.

[0011] As is known in the art, humectants are added to assist in theretention of liquids within the product, and thickening agents are addedto modify the product viscosity. In the present development, anyhumectant or thickener which does not significantly alter the ability ofthe formulation to maintain the skin at the desired pH can be used, withthe humectant included at a concentration of from about 0 wt. % to about5 wt. % and the thickener included at a concentration of from about 0wt. % to about 6.5 wt. %. The thickener may be a cellulose-basedmaterial, fumed silica, or a combination thereof, such as methylcellulose added at concentrations of about 0 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. %used in combination with fumed silica added at concentrations of about 0wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %.

[0012] Optionally, emollients and aesthetic additives, such as fragranceand/or colorants may also be added to the sanitizing hand cleanserformulation. Emollients or moisturizing agents, fragrance and colorantsare added as necessary and at concentrations for consumer acceptance.For example, the formulation may include from about 0 wt. % to about 1.5wt. % fragrance, dye or a combination thereof. The formulation may alsoinclude from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of additional emollients,such as, tea tree oil, hemp oil, aloe-based oil, lanolin, jojoba,chamomile, floral oils, herbal materials or a combination thereof areadded to the cleansing product to further aid skin moisturization.

[0013] The product is prepared by combining the alcohols, thesilicone-based materials, the humectants, and the lactic acid or sodiumlactate at ambient temperature in a batch mixing vessel and mixing untilwell blended. Then a portion of the alcohol mixture is removed to aseparate mixing vessel and the thickening agents are added, with mixing,until the mixture thickens slightly. Optionally, the fumed silica isthen added to the thickening agent mixture to cause the mixture tothicken further. The thickening agent mixture is then combined with theremaining alcohol mixture while maintaining continuous mixing. Theresulting product should have a viscosity that allows the product to bedispensed through a hand-pump, such as is commonly used on liquid soapdispensing bottles. For example, the viscosity could range from about100 centipoise (cp) to about 100,000 cp at about 25° C. The fragrancemay be added at any time that allows for good mixing, such as with theorganic alcohol.

[0014] The following examples are representative of the hand cleanserswhich can be prepared in accordance with the present invention. Theantimicrobial performance data of some of the cleansers are alsoincluded. The cleanser formulations presented are intended for examplepurposes only and are not intended to be limiting in scope.

EXAMPLE 1

[0015] A sanitizing hand cleanser is prepared which includes about 70wt. % anhydrous ethanol (3% isopropyl alcohol), about 18.6 wt. % DowCorning® 345 Fluid (cyclomethicone), about 4.5 wt. % isopropylmyristate, about 1.5 wt. % lactic acid, about 1.5 wt. % sodium lactate(40% active), about 1.3 wt. % Dow Corning® 749 (cyclomethicone andtrimethylsiloxysilicate product), about 0.6 wt. % Dow Methocel® OS(methylated cellulose), and about 2.0 wt. % Cabosil M5 fumed silica,commercially available from Cabot Corporation. The product is preparedby mixing the anhydrous ethanol, the 345 Fluid, the isopropyl myristate,the lactic acid, the sodium lactate, and the Dow Corning 749 at ambienttemperature in a batch mix tank fitted with at least one agitator ormixing blade until the alcohol mixture is well mixed. Then about 30% ofthe alcohol mixture is removed to a separate mixing vessel fitted withmixing blades and the Methocel® is added, with mixing, until the mixturethickens slightly. The fumed silica is then added to the Methocel®mixture to cause the mixture to thicken further. The fumedsilica/Methocel® mixture is then combined with the remaining alcoholmixture, with continuous mixing, until the fumed silica mixture iscompletely dissolved in the alcohol mixture. The resulting product has apH of about 4.5 and has a viscosity of about 350 cp at about 25° C.

EXAMPLE 2

[0016] A sanitizing hand cleanser is prepared which includes about 77.6wt. % anhydrous ethanol (3% isopropyl alcohol), about 15.5 wt. % DowCorning® 345 Fluid (cyclomethicone), about 1.5 wt. % isopropylmyristate, about 3.6 wt. % sodium lactate (40% active), about 1.0 wt. %Dow Corning® 749 (cyclomethicone and trimethylsiloxysilicate product),about 0.5 wt. % Dow Methocel® OS, and about 0.3 wt. % fragrance. Theproduct is prepared by mixing the anhydrous ethanol, the 345 Fluid, theisopropyl myristate, the sodium lactate, the Dow Corning 749 and thefragrance at ambient temperature in a batch mix tank fitted with atleast one agitator or mixing blade until the alcohol mixture is wellmixed. Then about 30% of the alcohol mixture is removed to a separatemixing vessel fitted with mixing blades and the Methocel® is added, withmixing, until the mixture thickens slightly. The Methocel® mixture isthen combined with the remaining alcohol mixture, with continuousmixing, until the Methocel® mixture is completely dissolved in thealcohol mixture. The resulting product has a pH of about 4.3 and has aviscosity of about 340 cp at about 25° C.

EXAMPLE 3

[0017] A sanitizing hand cleanser is prepared which is identical to theproduct of Example 2 except that about 1.5 wt. % of tea tree oil issubstituted for about 1.5 wt. % anhydrous ethanol (3% isopropylalcohol). The product is prepared as in Example 2 with the tea tree oiladded in the alcohol mixture. The resulting product has a pH of about4.4 and has a viscosity of about 360 cp at about 25° C.

EXAMPLE 4

[0018] A sanitizing hand cleanser is prepared which is identical to theproduct of Example 2 except that about 1.8 wt. % of hemp oil issubstituted for about 1.8 wt. % anhydrous ethanol (3% isopropylalcohol). The product is prepared as in Example 2 with the hemp oiladded in the alcohol mixture. The resulting product has a pH of about4.3 and has a viscosity of about 350 cp at about 25° C.

EXAMPLE 5

[0019] A sanitizing hand cleanser is prepared which is identical to theproduct of Example 2 except that about 1.0 wt. % of tea tree oil andabout 0.5 wt. % of hemp oil is substituted for about 1.5 wt. % anhydrousethanol (3% isopropyl alcohol). The product is prepared as in Example 2with the tea tree oil and hemp oil added in the alcohol mixture. Theresulting product has a pH of about 4.3 and has a viscosity of about 365cp at about 25° C.

[0020] Antimicrobial Performance Studies:

[0021] Antibacterial efficacy of the hand sanitizing cleansers can beevaluated by a variety of known procedures. For example, a minimuminhibitory concentration study may be used to determine the lowestconcentration of the cleanser that inhibits growth of a microorganism ora rapid germicidal study may be used to measure the ability of thecleanser to rapidly reduce a known population of microorganisms. Suchstudies can be conducted using commonly available bacteria and fungi asare listed in Table I. TABLE I Minimum Inhibitory Concentration StudyOrganism ATCC Organism ATCC Aspergillus niger 6275 Bacillus cereus 11778Streptococcus 6303 Staphylococcus epidermidis 12228 pneumoniaeStaphylococcus aureus 6538 Listeria monocytogenes 15313 Salmonella typhi6539 Haemophilus influenzae 19418 Proteus mirabilis 7002 Candidaparapsilosis 22019 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 9027 Campylobacter jejuni33560 Candida albicans 10231 Staphylococcus aureus 33592 (MRSA)Escherichia coli 11229 Escherichia coli 0157:H7 43895 Klebsiellapneumonia 11296 Enterococcus faecium 51559 (sub. species ozaenae) (VRE)

[0022] The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is the lowestconcentration of an antimicrobial agent that inhibits growth of amicroorganism. Serial dilutions of the antimicrobial test material aremade in broth or agar and then a standardized concentration of theorganism is plated onto the agar containing the diluted test material. Avariety of organisms are tested against the article to determine thegreatest dilution of the article possible while still maintainingantimicrobial efficacy.

[0023] Specifically, the product of Example 2 (“Product 2”) is testedfor minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) following a procedure whereina 1:2 dilution of a test material, by weight, is prepared inMueller-Hinton Broth or a Brain Heart Infusion Broth. A 200 μL aliquotof the dilution is added to the first well in a row of a microtiterplate. Dilutions of the product are then made starting from the firstwell with the wells containing dilutions of 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:10, 1:20,1:50, 1:80, 1:100, 1:150 and 1:200 of the test material. Bacterial andmedia control wells are also included.

[0024] The bacterial organism of interest is scraped from a cultureplate and resuspended in phosphate buffered saline solution to anapproximate density of 1.0×10⁵ cells. An inoculum of approximately 5×10⁴CFU (colony forming units) of each test organism is added to the testwells in a row of the plate and mixed. The plate is incubated at atemperature of 37±2° C. for about 23 hours. Table H summarizes themicrobial growth in the test wells in terms of showing growth (+) orshowing no growth (0). The MIC is considered to be the lowest dilutionin which bacterial growth is completely inhibited in duplicate trials.TABLE II Organism Test Material Well Dilutions Controls ATCC Rep. 1:21:4 1:8 1:10 1:20 1:50 1:80 1:100 1:150 1:200 Bacterial Media  6303 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0  6303 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0  6538 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0  6538 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0  6539 1 0 00 + + + + + + + + 0  6539 2 0 0 0 + + + + + + + + 0  7002 1 0 0 +0 + + + + + + + 0  7002 2 0 0 0 + + + + + + + + 0  9027 1 0 00 + + + + + + + + 0  9027 2 0 0 0 0 + + + + + + + 0 10231^(a) 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0 10231^(a) 2 0 + + + + + + + + + + 0 11229 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0 11229 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0 11296 1 0 0 00 + + + + + + + 0 11296 2 0 0 0 0 + + + + + + + 0 11778^(b) 1 0 00 + + + + + + + + 0 11778^(b) 2 0 0 0 + + + + + + + + 0 12228 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0 12228 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0 15313 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0 15313 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0 19418 1 0 0 00 + + + + + + + 0 19418 2 0 0 0 0 + + + + + + + 0 33560^(c) 1 0 0 +0 + + + + + + + 0 33560^(c) 2 0 0 + 0 + + + + + + + 0 33592 1 00 + + + + + + + + + 0 33592 2 0 0 + + + + + + + + + 0 43895 1 0 0 +0 + + + + + + + 0 43895 2 0 0 0 + + + + + + + + 0 51559 10 + + + + + + + + + + 0 51559 2 0 + + + + + + + + + + 0

[0025] Rapid Germicidal Studies

[0026] The rapid germicidal studies are used to measure the ability ofan antibacterial agent to rapidly reduce a known population ofmicroorganisms. An aliquot of the antibacterial test material iscontacted with a known concentration of test bacteria or fungi for apredetermined period of time. The test material is then neutralized, theconcentration of the surviving microorganisms is determined, and theefficacy of the antibacterial agent is calculated based on thepercentage of microorganisms that did not survive the expose to theantibacterial agent.

[0027] For example, the product of Example 2 (“Product 2”) is evaluatedfor rapid germicidal activity using a protocol wherein a 5 mL aliquot ofundiluted Product 2 is placed in a sterile glass jar at 25±1° C. and a0.5 mL sample of a selected microorganism broth culture yielding anapproximate microorganism dilution of about 108 CFU/mL is mixed into theantibacterial material aliquot. After waiting a prescribed time(“exposure time”), 45 mL of a neutralizer solution is added to the glassjar and stirred for 60 seconds. A 1 mL aliquot is removed from thejar—having a microorganism dilution of about 10⁻¹- and 10-fold serialdilutions are made to reach a dilution of about 10⁻⁶. The dilutions areplated in duplicate using a Pour Plate Technique. The plates areinverted and incubated at 35±2° C. for 48±2 hours. Following incubation,the colony forming units per mL (CFU/mL) for surviving organisms arecounted and compared to the starting populations. Control samples areincluded for each organism and exposure time following essentially thesame procedure except that the Product 2 is not added in the initialstep of the procedure. Table III lists microorganisms for use in theRapid Germicidal Study, the number of colony forming units per mL forthe controls and the test samples (reported in replicate), and theefficacy of the Product 2 as determined by percent reduction in organismcount and the log₁₀ reduction. TABLE III Organ- Expo- ism sure Count forCount for Test Sample % Log₁₀ ATCC Time Control Rep 1 Rep 2 Reduc-Reduc- # (sec) (CFU/mL) (CFU/mL) (CFU/mL) tion tion 06275 15 2.0 × 10⁷  3.2 × 10³   3.4 × 10³ 99.98 3.78 06275 30 1.7 × 10⁷   1.4 × 10³   2.3× 10⁴ 99.93 3.15 06275 60 1.4 × 10⁷   1.8 × 10⁴   5.5 × 10³ 99.91 3.0706303 15 9.7 × 10⁶   6.0 × 10¹   3.3 × 10³ 99.98 3.76 06303 30 1.4 × 10⁷  6.1 × 10²   1.1 × 10² >99.99 >4.59 06303 60 9.9 × 10⁶ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0× 10⁷ >99.99 >6.00 06538 15 3.4 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.5306538 30 3.1 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.49 06538 60 3.4 × 10⁷<1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.53 06538 15 6.0 × 10⁷   5.0 × 10⁴   8.4× 10³ 99.95 3.23 06538 30 3.7 × 10⁷   1.6 × 10⁴ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.98 >3.6706538 60 4.6 × 10⁷   1.2 × 10²   5.0 × 10¹ >99.99 5.73 06539 15 1.9 ×10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.28 06539 30 1.6 × 10⁷   6.0 × 10³<1.0 × 10¹ >99.98 >3.72 06539 60 2.3 × 10⁷   3.5 × 10³   2.7 × 10² 99.994.08 07002 15 2.0 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹   1.4 × 10³ >99.99 >4.46 07002 30 2.6× 10⁷   1.1 × 10⁴ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.98 >3.67 07002 60 2.3 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹<1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.36 09027 15 2.0 × 10⁷ 2.9 × 10² <1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >5.12 09027 30 1.4 × 10⁸   2.4 × 10⁵ <1.0 × 10¹ 99.91 3.0709027 60 1.3 × 10⁸ <1.0 × 10¹   2.8 × 10⁴ >99.99 >3.96 09027 15 1.3 ×10⁸   7.0 × 10⁴   2.3 × 10⁴ 99.97 3.45 09027 30 2.0 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹<1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.30 09027 60 2.8 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹   1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >6.45 10231 15 1.0 × 10⁵   1.5 × 10⁴   1.4 × 10³ 99.18 2.0910231 30 1.0 × 10⁵   8.6 × 10²   1.5 × 10¹ 99.96 3.36 10231 60 9.8 × 10⁵  1.2 × 10²   3.4 × 10³ 99.82 2.73 10231 15 1.1 × 10⁶   7.5 × 10¹   1.3× 10³ 99.94 3.20 10231 30 9.8 × 10⁵   1.8 × 10⁴ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.08 >2.0410231 60 8.8 × 10⁵   2.8 × 10²   1.2 × 10² 99.98 3.64 11229 15 4.0 × 10⁷<1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.60 11229 30 2.8 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >6.45 11229 60 3.6 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.5611296 15 2.4 × 10⁷   2.0 × 10³   1.6 × 10³ 99.99 4.12 11296 30 2.0 × 10⁷  1.1 × 10³   6.5 × 10¹ 99.99 4.54 11296 60 2.1 × 10⁷   3.8 × 10³ <1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >4.04 11778 15 8.2 × 10⁵   1.8 × 10³ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.89 >2.9611778 30 8.2 × 10⁵ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >4.91 11778 60 8.6 × 10⁵  2.6 × 10³   1.0 × 10¹ 99.85 2.82 12228 15 1.4 × 10⁷   9.6 × 10³   8.4× 10⁴ 99.66 2.48 12228 30 1.2 × 10⁷   1.5 × 10³   5.0 × 10⁴ 99.78 2.6612228 60 1.4 × 10⁷   1.5 × 10¹   7.2 × 10³ 99.97 3.59 15313 15 4.3 × 10⁷  3.0 × 10⁵   1.8 × 10⁵ 99.44 2.25 15313 30 4.7 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹   6.9 ×10³ >99.99 >4.14 15313 60 4.8 × 10⁷   3.4 × 10⁴   1.7 × 10⁵ 99.79 2.6819418 15 1.7 × 10⁷   3.5 × 10²   4.7 × 10³ 99.99 3.85 19418 30 1.5 × 10⁷  1.2 × 10⁴   5.0 × 10⁴ 99.79 2.69 19418 60 1.6 × 10⁷   1.0 × 10³   9.8× 10³ 99.97 3.47 22019 15 9.0 × 10⁵   1.0 × 10³   6.0 × 10³ 99.61 2.4122019 30 9.5 × 10⁵   6.2 × 10²   5.4 × 10² 99.94 3.22 22019 60 1.6 × 10⁶<1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >5.20 33592 15 1.4 × 10⁷   7.4 × 10⁴   2.6× 10⁵ 98.78 1.92 33592 30 1.1 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹   2.2 × 10³ >99.99 >4.0033592 60 1.4 × 10⁷   1.6 × 10³   1.8 × 10³ 99.99 3.92 33650 15 5.6 × 10⁶  6.0 × 10²   1.8 × 10³ 99.98 3.67 33650 30 4.9 × 10⁶ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >5.69 33650 60 6.2 × 10⁶   3.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >5.1943895 15 4.2 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.62 43895 30 4.8 × 10⁷  5.3 × 10³ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >4.27 43895 60 3.0 × 10⁷ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 ×10¹ >99.99 >6.48 51559 15 4.0 × 10⁷   4.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.0251559 30 4.6 × 10⁵ <1.0 × 10¹ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >6.66 51559 60 8.8 × 10⁵  4.0 × 10³ <1.0 × 10¹ >99.99 >4.30

[0028] From a reading of the above, one with ordinary skill in the artshould be able to devise variations to the inventive features. Forexample, other additives may be included in the formulation to increaseconsumer acceptance, such as dyes, colorants, skin-softening agents,skin-protecting agents, such as sunscreening materials, and othersilicone or non-silicone compounds or solvents that may modify thedrying characteristics of organic alcohols or change the tactile feeland dryness caused by high alcohol containing systems. These and othervariations are believed to fall within the spirit and scope of theattached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitizing hand cleanser comprising: from about60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of one or more organic alcohols; from about 5wt. % to about 35 wt. % of one or more silicone based materials; fromabout 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more humectants; from about 0wt. % to about 12 wt. % of one or more skin pH-maintaining additive; andone or more thickening agents added at a concentration so as to producea product with a viscosity in the range of 100 cp to 100,000 cp at about25° C.
 2. The hand cleanser of claim 1 wherein said organic alcohol isselected from anhydrous ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a combinationthereof.
 3. The hand cleanser of claim 1 wherein said pH-maintainingadditives allow the skin to maintain a pH of from about 4.0 to about6.0.
 4. The hand cleanser of claim 3 wherein said pH-maintainingadditives are selected from the group consisting of fumed silica, lacticacid, sodium lactate or a combination thereof.
 5. The hand cleanser ofclaim 3 wherein said pH-maintaining additive is fumed silica.
 6. Thehand cleanser of claim 5 wherein said fumed silica is added at aconcentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %.
 7. The handcleanser of claim 3 wherein said pH-maintaining additive is lactic acid.8. The hand cleanser of claim 7 wherein said lactic acid is added at aconcentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %.
 9. The handcleanser of claim 6 further including lactic acid added at aconcentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %.
 10. The handcleanser of claim 3 wherein said pH-maintaining additive is sodiumlactate. 11 The hand cleanser of claim 10 wherein said sodium lactate isadded at a concentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. %. 12.The hand cleanser of claim 1 wherein said silicone based material iscyclomethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate or a combination thereof. 13.The hand cleanser of claim 1 wherein said humectant is isopropylmyristate.
 14. The hand cleanser of claim 1 wherein said thickeningagent is a cellulose based thickener.
 15. The hand cleanser of claim 14wherein said thickening agent is methyl cellulose.
 16. The hand cleanserof claim 1 wherein said thickening agent is fumed silica.
 17. The handcleanser of claim 16 wherein said fumed silica is present atconcentrations of from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. %.
 18. The handcleanser of claim 1 further including a fragrance.
 19. The hand cleanserof claim 18 wherein said fragrance is added at a concentration of fromabout 0 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. %.
 20. The hand cleanser of claim 1further including a colorant.
 21. The hand cleanser of claim 1 furtherincluding one or more emollients.
 22. The hand cleanser of claim 21wherein said emollients are added at a concentration of from about 0 wt.% to about 5 wt. %.
 23. The hand cleanser of claim 22 wherein saidemollients are selected from the group consisting of tea tree oil, hempoil, aloe-based oil or a combination thereof.
 24. The hand cleanser ofclaim 1 wherein said viscosity is in the range of from about 250 cp toabout 450 cp at about 25° C.
 25. A sanitizing hand cleanser comprising:a) an alcohol mixture, prepared by mixing from about 60 wt. % to about90 wt. % of one or more organic alcohols with from about 5 wt. % toabout 35 wt. % of one or more silicone based materials and with fromabout 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % isopropyl myristate and with about fromabout 0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % lactic acid and with from about 0 wt. %to about 2.0 wt. % sodium lactate at ambient temperature until wellblended; and b) a thickening mixture, prepared by removing a portion ofsaid alcohol mixture to a separate mixing vessel and adding from about 0wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % methyl cellulose while maintaining continuousmixing, wherein said thickening mixture is combined with said alcoholmixture at ambient temperature and with continuous mixing until reachinga product viscosity of from about 250 cp to about 450 cp at about 25° C.26. The hand cleanser of claim 25 wherein said organic alcohol isselected from anhydrous ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a combinationthereof.
 27. The hand cleanser of claim 25 wherein said silicone basedmaterial is cyclomethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate or a combinationthereof.
 28. The hand cleanser of claim 25 further including from about0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % fumed silica added to said thickening mixture.29. The hand cleanser of claim 25 further including a fragrance added ata concentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % to said alcoholmixture.
 30. The hand cleanser of claim 25 further including from about0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more emollients selected from thegroup consisting of tea tree oil, hemp oil, aloe-based oil or acombination thereof, said emollients being added to said alcoholmixture.
 31. A method of making a sanitizing hand cleanser comprising:a) mixing from about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of one or more organicalcohols with from about 5 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of one or moresilicone based materials and with from about 0 wt. % to about 5 wt. %isopropyl myristate and with about from about 0 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. %lactic acid and with from about 0 wt. % to about 2.0 wt. % sodiumlactate at ambient temperature until well blended; b) adding from about0 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % methyl cellulose to a portion of said mixtureformed in step a) and mixing until well blended; and c) adding saidmethyl cellulose mixture to said mixture formed in step a) at ambienttemperature and with continuous mixing until reaching a productviscosity of from about 250 cp to about 450 cp at about 25° C.
 32. Thehand cleanser of claim 31 wherein said organic alcohol is selected fromanhydrous ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a combination thereof.
 33. Thehand cleanser of claim 31 wherein said silicone based material iscyclomethicone, trimethylsiloxysilicate or a combination thereof. 34.The hand cleanser of claim 31 further including from about 0 wt. % toabout 5 wt. % fumed silica added to said thickening mixture.
 35. Thehand cleanser of claim 31 further including a fragrance added at aconcentration of from about 0 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % to said alcoholmixture.
 36. The hand cleanser of claim 31 further including from about0 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of one or more emollients selected from thegroup consisting of tea tree oil, hemp oil, aloe-based oil or acombination thereof, said emollients being added to said alcoholmixture.